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Bob Sturm: I’d franchise DeMarco Murray next spring … unless this unlikely event occurred
By Bob Sturm sturm1310@aol.com
6:00 pm on October 23, 2014 | Permalink
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2014/10/bob-sturm-id-franchise-demarco-murray-next-spring-unless-this-unlikely-event-occurred.html/
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered Cowboys questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: How long before opponents limit runs and throw, throw and throw again?
Bob Sturm: I expected that to happen against the Seahawks and the Giants. If those two teams – who both have formidable to excellent front 7s – cannot force the Cowboys out of running, then the sky is the limit. The Cardinals will test this soon and Jim Haslett always has some wrinkles.
Question: Great stuff, Bob, as always. You’ve looked at this before, but I’m wondering if this is more Linehan’s play-calling or Callahan’s not play-calling?
Bob Sturm: I will be honest, I feel uncomfortable saying anything definitively about Bill Callahan’s job responsibility in 2013. At best, he was calling plays that were designed by Jason Garrett. At worst, Jason Garrett was calling the plays. So, either way, Callahan did not have the trust nor autonomy that Linehan enjoys. That said, Scott Linehan has used a ton of creativity, variety, and commitment to make this offense into an overnight juggernaut. it is remarkable.
Question: Who is our next O-line backup after Parnell, and should we be concerned?
Bob Sturm: I imagine, Tony Hills would be the next tackle if Doug Free is still out. However, if you lost Free and Parnell for an extended period of time, I am betting Martin would kick out to RT and Mac Bernadeau would slide back to RG. Let’s avoid that, but that is what I am thinking.
Question: How much impact if Murray goes down? Can Williams run (if not pass protect)?
Bob Sturm: A significant impact. Murray is remarkably solid and complete. I think they would be able to get by, but everything would be affected. Ryan Williams can run well, and I assume he would be the full-time back if Randle did not take it and run right away. But, they need Murray to play 14 games.
Question: Is this a bad season for the Cowboys to go overseas? I think that disrupts the good thing going.
Bob Sturm: Is there ever a good time to go play internationally? Not in the regular season. Routines are greatly upset. But, it is what it is. They should be able to deal with Jacksonville on the moon.
Question: Have Cowboys proven they don’t mind the prime time spotlight anymore?
Bob Sturm: All of those narratives are just ways to ask are the Cowboys mediocre anymore. I think a good team can always handle things better than a mediocre team. They are now a good team, I believe. Shocking, but true.
Question: Would you say the difference between this Cowboys team and one in recent past is their ability to play their best football in the 2nd half? Compared to previous years where they would start strong and fizzle out in the fourth.
Bob Sturm: That is certainly the characteristic that you want. You want the 4th Quarter to be where you have worn down your opponent and they want the game to end while your big guys run them over repeatedly. That reminds you of 1995 and the Cowboys OL, right? Also, the previous Dallas teams would fade as the months changed due to attrition with injuries. Let’s see if they can erase that trend, too. But, don’t forget their schedule is certainly backloaded this year.
Question: What would you rather do: Pay Murray 4 yrs at 45 million with 20 mill guaranteed and the option to get out of the last year OR spend your first round draft pick on Todd Gurley if he fell to you.
Bob Sturm: I would have to decide on Murray before I knew if Gurley would fall to me. Also, Gurley would not fall to a team that might draft really, really late in Round 1. So, I would love to replace DeMarco with Gurley, but given what I can control, I would franchise Murray next spring for 1 year.
By Bob Sturm sturm1310@aol.com
6:00 pm on October 23, 2014 | Permalink
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/2014/10/bob-sturm-id-franchise-demarco-murray-next-spring-unless-this-unlikely-event-occurred.html/
The Ticket’s Bob Sturm answered Cowboys questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.
Question: How long before opponents limit runs and throw, throw and throw again?
Bob Sturm: I expected that to happen against the Seahawks and the Giants. If those two teams – who both have formidable to excellent front 7s – cannot force the Cowboys out of running, then the sky is the limit. The Cardinals will test this soon and Jim Haslett always has some wrinkles.
Question: Great stuff, Bob, as always. You’ve looked at this before, but I’m wondering if this is more Linehan’s play-calling or Callahan’s not play-calling?
Bob Sturm: I will be honest, I feel uncomfortable saying anything definitively about Bill Callahan’s job responsibility in 2013. At best, he was calling plays that were designed by Jason Garrett. At worst, Jason Garrett was calling the plays. So, either way, Callahan did not have the trust nor autonomy that Linehan enjoys. That said, Scott Linehan has used a ton of creativity, variety, and commitment to make this offense into an overnight juggernaut. it is remarkable.
Question: Who is our next O-line backup after Parnell, and should we be concerned?
Bob Sturm: I imagine, Tony Hills would be the next tackle if Doug Free is still out. However, if you lost Free and Parnell for an extended period of time, I am betting Martin would kick out to RT and Mac Bernadeau would slide back to RG. Let’s avoid that, but that is what I am thinking.
Question: How much impact if Murray goes down? Can Williams run (if not pass protect)?
Bob Sturm: A significant impact. Murray is remarkably solid and complete. I think they would be able to get by, but everything would be affected. Ryan Williams can run well, and I assume he would be the full-time back if Randle did not take it and run right away. But, they need Murray to play 14 games.
Question: Is this a bad season for the Cowboys to go overseas? I think that disrupts the good thing going.
Bob Sturm: Is there ever a good time to go play internationally? Not in the regular season. Routines are greatly upset. But, it is what it is. They should be able to deal with Jacksonville on the moon.
Question: Have Cowboys proven they don’t mind the prime time spotlight anymore?
Bob Sturm: All of those narratives are just ways to ask are the Cowboys mediocre anymore. I think a good team can always handle things better than a mediocre team. They are now a good team, I believe. Shocking, but true.
Question: Would you say the difference between this Cowboys team and one in recent past is their ability to play their best football in the 2nd half? Compared to previous years where they would start strong and fizzle out in the fourth.
Bob Sturm: That is certainly the characteristic that you want. You want the 4th Quarter to be where you have worn down your opponent and they want the game to end while your big guys run them over repeatedly. That reminds you of 1995 and the Cowboys OL, right? Also, the previous Dallas teams would fade as the months changed due to attrition with injuries. Let’s see if they can erase that trend, too. But, don’t forget their schedule is certainly backloaded this year.
Question: What would you rather do: Pay Murray 4 yrs at 45 million with 20 mill guaranteed and the option to get out of the last year OR spend your first round draft pick on Todd Gurley if he fell to you.
Bob Sturm: I would have to decide on Murray before I knew if Gurley would fall to me. Also, Gurley would not fall to a team that might draft really, really late in Round 1. So, I would love to replace DeMarco with Gurley, but given what I can control, I would franchise Murray next spring for 1 year.